Xylene at Lowes for $10.00 a gallon
09-18-2002, 03:38 PM
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Race gas uses aromatic hydrocarbons like toluene and xylene to boost octane along with a few other things.
Levish, you are close but regular and premium have the *same* energy for a given volume but premium does take more to ignite.
Toluene and Xylene can be run safely up to 30% of your fuel volume, but high concentrations have been known to result in higher EGTs because they have more BTUs than gasoline. MTBE is an oxygenate and is rated at 118 octane whereas Toluene is 114 and Xylene is 117. Probably better to mix some oxygenate like MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) with an aromatic hydrocarbon because the MTBE has a lower BTU then the Toluene or Xylene but still has a high octane rating. This would give you the octane boost without severe detrimental effects to O2 sensor or cat if you have one, not to mention underhood temps. Alcohols boost octane as well but they are quite corrosive and like to attack rubber, plastic, dissolve gas and oil quite nicely wich isn't good for the ol' cylinder walls. Use in very small quantities, if at all. Alcohols are very hydrophyllic meaning they latch onto water molecules quite well. Diesel fuel "driers" are usually just alcohol.
Note to all CA residents... we have the crappiest gas in the whole country at 91 octane max. at the pump. The worthless Gray Davis forced all gas to discontinue MTBE and switch to Ethanol with not only is rated at only 101 octane but has lower BTU as well so we're paying more for less fuel economy. Vote for Bill Simon this fall. End of sermon.
Levish, you are close but regular and premium have the *same* energy for a given volume but premium does take more to ignite.
Toluene and Xylene can be run safely up to 30% of your fuel volume, but high concentrations have been known to result in higher EGTs because they have more BTUs than gasoline. MTBE is an oxygenate and is rated at 118 octane whereas Toluene is 114 and Xylene is 117. Probably better to mix some oxygenate like MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) with an aromatic hydrocarbon because the MTBE has a lower BTU then the Toluene or Xylene but still has a high octane rating. This would give you the octane boost without severe detrimental effects to O2 sensor or cat if you have one, not to mention underhood temps. Alcohols boost octane as well but they are quite corrosive and like to attack rubber, plastic, dissolve gas and oil quite nicely wich isn't good for the ol' cylinder walls. Use in very small quantities, if at all. Alcohols are very hydrophyllic meaning they latch onto water molecules quite well. Diesel fuel "driers" are usually just alcohol.
Note to all CA residents... we have the crappiest gas in the whole country at 91 octane max. at the pump. The worthless Gray Davis forced all gas to discontinue MTBE and switch to Ethanol with not only is rated at only 101 octane but has lower BTU as well so we're paying more for less fuel economy. Vote for Bill Simon this fall. End of sermon.
09-18-2002, 06:16 PM
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[quote]Originally posted by Twinspool:
<strong>Race gas uses aromatic hydrocarbons like toluene and xylene to boost octane along with a few other things... etc etc</strong><hr></blockquote>
Rock on
<img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />
30% is what I have heard most people using as the upper limit. A bit higher for very short periods (like 1 day at the drags) might be OK but not recommended
I definately wouldn't go 100% of either
<strong>Race gas uses aromatic hydrocarbons like toluene and xylene to boost octane along with a few other things... etc etc</strong><hr></blockquote>
Rock on
<img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />
30% is what I have heard most people using as the upper limit. A bit higher for very short periods (like 1 day at the drags) might be OK but not recommended
I definately wouldn't go 100% of either
